dimanche 17 avril 2011

Finished Project: Colorful Pendrell Blouse

Finally the sun has come out this week-end, so we grabbed the camera and went outside for some shots of my new Pendrell blouse.

I'm very happy with how it turned out, even after having to tweak the sleeves a bit. Maybe this print was too busy for the view A of the pattern, which might have made the original sleeves look so overwhelming on me, so I might try it again in a plain color...

It is very comfortable to wear, and I like the length of it. I think this one is going to get a lot of wear when it gets warmer.

I've pretty much said everything about this blouse in my previous post, so I'll just digress from it for a second to talk about the jeans I'm wearing. Obviously I didn't make them, the brand name is "Paige", which I didn't know before, but I looked it up and the average price for a pair of jeans is $180!...Well turns out I found these one on the clearance rack at my local consignment store for $11.90! They have no sign of wear, and fit really well, what a score ! I actually paid more for the (extra long) leather belt I wear on the picture, found on the same day.

Ever since I started sewing for myself, I find it hard to pay a lot of money for something of poor quality, or made in China, so I look for quality stuff at cheap prices in second-hand or thrift stores, and on clearance racks. I love finding these kinds of deal - who doesn't (also scored a Banana Republic jacket, good as new, for $12.50 at Value Village a few months back). It actually makes shopping feel less like pure consumerism, and more like an adventure, a treasure quest (that's what I tell myself anyway) :P

I love these photos. I, too, can no longer buy new $$$ crap. It makes my stomach churn. I chant the same anti-consumerism mantra, but think it's really the thrill of a great deal. And, your version of this blouse is gorgeous. I am totally inspired to try it.

Hey I love your version! I does feel very you -- with your clean lines. I've also had to modify the sleeves a little. The original ones look great on larger sizes, I found, but not quite right on smaller frames.

About Me

I started sewing in September 2007, and I have kept going on my own, slowly but surely ever since. I learn as I go, through trial and error, and even though I don't have a "high productivity", the satisfaction of a finished garment is worth all the time and patience spent making it...